The 2024 Great Western Training Program (GWTP) is a premier, long-standing program designed to help cyclists of all levels reach their peak performance. Running from October 27 to December 22, 2024, this structured training regimen focuses on key aspects of cycling, including aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, time trialing, and race tactics. With its progressive design, the program builds your fitness week by week, ensuring that by the end of the nine-week period, you’re stronger, faster, and ready for the competitive season ahead.

Originally founded over 30 years ago by legendary coaches such as Eddy B and Dr. Arnie Baker, the GWTP has become a tradition in the cycling community, welcoming participants from San Diego, Mexico, and beyond. The program has helped numerous cyclists, from amateurs to state, national, and world champions, prepare for race day with confidence. It continues to offer riders not just expert coaching, but also a collaborative environment where experienced athletes share insights and support newer riders.

As your coach for the 2024 program, my name is Gilberto Cortez. I am a USA Cycling Level 1 certified coach and a TrainingPeaks Level 2 coach, with over 8 years of experience in endurance coaching. I have been with the Great Western Training Program for several years, including serving as assistant coach last year, and I am passionate about using science-backed training methods to help athletes push their limits and achieve their goals.

In addition to the Sunday group rides, the GWTP includes a comprehensive mid-week companion program designed to complement the weekend sessions. These mid-week workouts, available below, provide additional training to help participants stay on track and improve key fitness areas between sessions. This ensures that your training is consistent and that you continue to progress throughout the week. Whether you’re building endurance, increasing your lactate threshold, or refining your race strategy, the mid-week program plays a crucial role in your development, setting you up for maximum performance gains.

The GWTP offers the tools, coaching, and community you need to excel. Whether your goal is to improve your climbing, fine-tune your race-day tactics, or simply become a stronger, more efficient rider, this program is designed to get you there. I look forward to coaching you through this journey and helping you achieve your best performance yet.